FC Bayern experienced a wild spectacle in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Paris Saint-Germain and lost 4:5. In a completely open exchange of blows, the Munich side were ahead early on, fought their way back from 2:5 in the meantime, but were narrowly beaten in the end at the Parc des Princes.
Vincent Kompany made eight changes to his starting XI compared to the 4-3 win in Mainz, with only Alphonso Davies, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Luis Díaz remaining in the starting line-up. Manuel Neuer returned in goal, with Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Davies starting in front of him. With Kompany suspended, the Belgian was replaced on the sidelines by Aaron Danks.
Bayern started the game with courage and looked to go forward early on. After a quarter of an hour, the record champions were rewarded for their active start: Luis Díaz was hit by Willian Pacho in the penalty area and referee Sandro Schärer immediately pointed to the spot. Harry Kane took responsibility and converted safely to make it 1-0 (17′).
Paris only needed a few minutes to hit back after going behind. First, Ousmane Dembélé missed a great chance to equalize in front of Neuer, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did better shortly afterwards. The Georgian cut inside from the left and flicked the ball precisely into the far corner to make it 1-1 (24′).
PSG turn the game around before the break
The tempo remained extremely high and Bayern had a great opportunity to retake the lead through Michael Olise, but PSG keeper Matvey Safonov made a great save to reduce the angle. At the other end, Paris made the most of a set-piece situation: after a corner from the left, João Neves broke free at the first post and headed the ball into the far corner to make it 2-1 (33′).
Munich responded with a strong individual move: Olise beat several opponents in the centre of the penalty area and flicked the ball under the crossbar to make it 2:2 (41′). But FC Bayern suffered the next setback before the break. Following a handball by Davies, Schärer awarded a penalty after a VAR referral. Dembélé stepped up and scored to make it 3:2 (45.+5). They went into the dressing room with this result.
Bayern reacted for the second half and brought on Konrad Laimer for Davies. The Austrian had the chance to equalize shortly after the restart, but put the ball just wide of the goal after Díaz’s preparatory work. A little later, it was bitter for Munich at the other end: Achraf Hakimi had plenty of space on the right and his pass slipped through to Kvaratskhelia, who scored to make it 4:2 (56′).
The home side followed up just two minutes later: Désiré Doué drove the ball through the center during a counter-attack and played Dembélé in. The Frenchman moved inside against Upamecano and shot low, the ball went through the defender’s legs to the inside post and from there into the net to make it 5:2 (58′).
Bayern fight back spectacularly
The game seemed to be slipping away from Munich, but the record champions refused to give up. After a Joshua Kimmich free-kick from the left half of the pitch, Upamecano rose high at the second post and headed the ball into the right-hand corner to make it 5:3 (65′). The goal visibly re-energised Bayern.
Just three minutes later, FCB were finally back in the game. Kane played a strong ball from the center over the PSG defence into the path of Díaz. The Colombian took the ball strongly on the left of the penalty area, outpaced Marquinhos and flicked the ball into the right-hand corner from close range to make it 5:4 (68′). The flag went up at first, but after a brief review, the goal counted.
Bayern pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages. Paris brought on Bradley Barcola for Doué and tried to regain more control of the game, but Munich kept the pressure on: after a Kimmich corner, Jonathan Tah headed the ball dangerously towards goal, but Safonov was on hand. Shortly afterwards, Aaron Danks brought on Leon Goretzka for Jamal Musiala.
PSG now pulled back further and made two changes in the closing stages: Senny Mayulu came on for double goalscorer Kvaratskhelia, ex-Bayern professional Lucas Hernández replaced the stricken Nuno Mendes. Paris had another great chance to make it 6-4 shortly before the end, but Mayulu only hit the crossbar after a quick attack (87′).
Things got hectic again in stoppage time. First, Kane failed to beat Safonov with a deflected shot after work from Díaz, then Danks brought on Nicolas Jackson for Pavlovic. A little later, Laimer had another dangerous chance after an attack down the left, but Safonov was on hand again. Kimmich had the best chance to equalise in the fourth minute of stoppage time: after a corner from Olise, the midfielder headed towards the right corner, but Pacho cleared just before the line. It was over straight after that.
FC Bayern will continue their Bundesliga campaign on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when they host 1. FC Heidenheim. Paris Saint-Germain will also face FC Lorient at home on Saturday. The semi-final second leg will then take place next Wednesday at 9 p.m. in the Allianz Arena.